I am reading Ralph Fletcher’s book Breathing In, Breathing Out: Keeping a Writer’s Notebook. I’m a little late to this book published in 1996. But it’s special to me because Ralph himself signed it this past November at NCTE. If you’ve never read any of Ralph’s books about writing, I highly recommend them. This one in particular is full of ideas, but it’s also full of Ralph’s voice. I could listen to him all day long.
In the first chapter, “A Place to Write,” Ralph writes about the things on his desk. This prompted me to write about my teacher desk.
There’s been a movement among teachers to get rid of the teacher desk. I suppose the idea is for the teacher to be more active, wandering among her students or sitting at a table designed for group meetings. I get that, but I can’t get rid of my teacher desk, not yet. It holds too many precious things. Gifts from students.
- Sweet Pea body lotion
- Two message rocks: “If you have the choice of being right or being kind, be kind.” “You Rock!” with a painted smiley face
- A glass bear holding a red heart, “The Joy that you give to others is the Joy that comes back to you.”
- Coffee container painted by Emily with our class theme “Mrs. Simon’s Sea”
- Wooden pencil holder hand-made by Andrew’s father
- A paper flower from Erin
- Practical stuff: box of tissues, tape, stapler, paper clips, grade book, current read-aloud, cups of pens, pencils, markers, and hand sanitizer
After writing about my teacher desk, I realize that this space holds meaning. It is the center of our classroom. Often a student will prop a laptop right next to me. Once a student called this area the zone of learning. Voluntarily, they find a comfort in being close to me.
My notebook is here on my desk. The one Ralph talks about in his book. The place I breathe into, write alongside my students, make observations, discover poems. Like Ralph says, your notebook is a room of your own, a space that is alive to even the barest suggestion of light.
What is on your writing desk? Do you still have a teacher desk? Spaces take on the meaning we assign to them. My desk, my notebook, my classroom are sacred spaces for sharing, learning, and finding Joy.
That’s one of my favorite writing books – Fletcher’s ideas and invitations are so wonderful. You desk looks cozy – no wonder the kids gravitate there.
I have to say that my bulletin board has more meaningful stuff than my desk. I love reading about your space, Margaret!
I was late to this book, too. I read it this summer (mostly while sitting in the dentist’s chair–a welcome distraction). I love a book that still rings true 21 years later!
Your post reminds me of Debbie Miller saying that you should be able to look at your room from the door and see what is important to you. Clearly, seeing your desk screams out what you can about. Thanks for the glimpse of it. And I will always remember Ralph with gratitude. His novel, Fig Pudding, was the first novel that I read slowly, tracked my thinking with post-its, grew theories, noticed his writing structure. And cried! I love that his book taught me how to read novels, not just for plot but for so much more! Thanks for reminding me of this too!
Doesn’t matter that it’s from 1996! It’s still a great book. In fact, it’s one of the books I assign to my graduate students. My only wish is that it were available as an ebook since one of my international students couldn’t easily get it before class started since he took my class online from India.
I love that book, and all of Ralph’s writing. He is inspiring! I kept my desk all through my many moves, and got a little teary when I had to clean it out for the teacher who was taking that classroom. Yes, it held many things, in and on top. But you’re right, most important were the student gifts that were meant for a desk. Now, at my desk is a turtle embedded with stones from Carter. He and I share a love of rocks, so that he found this for me was a wonderful gift. Thanks for the sweet post, Margaret.
Isn’t Ralph just wonderful?? I met him at All Write last summer and he signed a few of my books. I just love him!
Ralph Fletcher always inspires! I have a hard time parting with special keepsake stuff. In fact, I have a small box of it from students and teacher friends that I couldn’t part with. So every year I hang a few on my Christmas tree and remember for a few weeks.
My ornaments and mugs from students could be a whole other slice!
I do think that’s my favorite of Fletcher’s books (though it’s hard to pick just one isn’t it?). Your post got me remembering my teacher desk when I taught high school and all the personal things that were on it and in it. I just might slice about that later this month. Thank you for the inspiration–and for the window into your classroom. I could see the relationship you have with your students through the items you describe on your desk.
I’m so happy that I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to get rid of her teacher desk! 🙂 I, too, understand the philosophy behind the trend, but I love the stuff on my desk, too. 🙂 I loved hearing about your special space.
I have several of Fletcher’s books, but not this one. Must remedy that. I still have a desk too. The one thing that belongs to me but means the most is a plant. I bought that plant my very first year of teaching, and it has moved with me to three different classrooms and have had several “haircuts.” I think our personal space tells a lot about us, and it certainly is not that we are the center!
That is a great Fletcher book. And the teacher desk. Mine isn’t. For me, it’s a real estate issue. The room is just too small to contain us. We need every inch. So I’m a nomad. But I appreciate all of the treasures. They honor your kiddos!
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